The Cool Kids Kick it Old School

The Cool Kids could be a case study for how talent finds its way into the ether in the Internet age, when the only thing that matters less than a established music label is radio play. That's because The Cool Kids have done everything largely on their own. And they don't even have a full-length album out yet.

Rather, they've got two "official" mixed tapes - 2007's That's Stupid! and 2009's Gone Fishing - and two "unofficial" mixed tapes - 2007's Totally Flossed Out and 2008's Cool Ass Ningas. From that, The Cool Kids have gained notoriety and a considerable following. In 2008 Rolling Stone put them on their Artist to Watch list and this year The Cool Kids are everywhere - playing clubs and the festival circuit, and collaborating with the likes of The Bloody Beatroots and Maroon 5.

What's best is that The Cool Kids deserve all the attention they've been getting. Their music has an old school rap feel about; it's rap stripped to its most basic elements, and it works. For now, check out their mixed tapes on MySpace. Soon (no one knows exactly when) their first full-length album, When Fish Ride Bicycles will be out to sink or swim on its own.